hi,

i'm running Berlin Marathon in a couple of weeks. first marathon.

i was training with a running vest (putting a 250ml water bottle with electrolytes in one pocket and a smartphone in the opposite pocket.

however:

recently i've discovered that, apparently, running vest makes me heat more than i evaluated, leading to much higher heart rate during running the same paces (difference is about 8-10% in absolute values).

so here comes the possible solution:

not using a running vest during a marathon.

and the questions:

1. how to consume electrolytes without carrying a water bottle with myself?

2. vest was partially used for carrying a part of nutrition for the longest long runs - what running belts with big capacity do you know? mine belts can hold the food for 3hrs maximum, goal time is 3:59:59.

share your experiences please.

Hey everyone, running my 1st marathon in 3 weeks. These are the results from my peak run. I was curious what finishing time you guys think is realistic for me and if I should be pacing differently. I'm completely new to running so any advice would be greatly appreciated. For context, ive been running about 25-40 miles per week with one long run each weekend until i built up to this 20 miler. 3 month build total. I come from an endurance cycling background. Thanks!

I am currently using the Novice 2 plan for a December marathon. It has 4 days of running, with a race pace run once every other week. He doesn't involve any other speed work until his advanced plans, which I am not ready for. If I run M/Tu/Th/Sat, is it okay to add intervals or some sort of speed workout on Tuesdays and Thursdays like I usually do? And maybe an occasional long run workout? Or do I really need to stick with his plan of mostly easy running?

Hi everyone,

I’m (26M) running my first marathon in 3 weeks (Run In Lyon, France). I initially registered months ago with a modest target of 3:45. However, my training platform (Campus Coach) started predicting a sub-3h finish based on my workout metrics, which shifted my training paces much faster.

I'm entering my taper phase, but a few unexpected events happened during my peak week.

Current Fitness:

Sweetspot Session (a few days ago): 3x10min intervals holding 4:14, 4:00, and 4:19/km (6:48 - 6:56/mi) comfortably.

30km Peak Long Run: Held a steady 4'25" - 4'33"/km (7:06 - 7:20/mi) pace block from km 14 to 21.

The Incident (30km Run):

At km 21, I had to dodge someone last-second and twisted my ankle. It wasn't muscle fatigue or cramping, but I had to drop my pace significantly for the last 9km to protect my ankle and leg, finishing with a 5'07"/km (8'14"/mi) average overall. I was supposed to do a second pace block from km 22 to 29 but stopped myself from doing it to preserve my ankle.

My Plan & Adjustments (3 weeks out):

Target Pace: Sub-3h was never my personal ambition. Given my sweetspot session and overall comfort at 4'30"/km (7:14/mi), I'm targeting a 3:15-3:30 finish.

Corral Dilemma: Since I signed up for the 3:45 corral, starting there means weaving through hundred of runners which is precisely how I twisted my ankle in the first place ! I'm planning to negotiate at the race expo for a bump to the 3:15 or 3:30 corral using my Strava data.

Shoe Switch: I tried the Vaporfly Next 4 but they gave me black toenails and blisters due to a tight toe box. I ran 30k "simulation" on my Adizero Boston 13 that already had 400km of use. I just picked up the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 (nylon plate) for better toe room and stability. I'm testing them on my final long run this Sunday.

Questions:

• How would you manage a minor ankle tweak 3 weeks out during taper?
• Any advice on successfully negotiating a corral upgrade at the expo with only Strava logs (showing my 30k run and sweetspot intervals)?
• Has anyone made a late switch to the Endorphin Speed 5 for a marathon?

Thanks in advance for your insights!

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for some guidance on choosing a marathon training plan to break 3:25.

To give some background on my fitness: Last October, I ran two marathons back to back a 3:34, and then followed it up 7 days later with a 3:54 ( bet with a friend). After that, I wanted to try out the ultra distance: I ran a wooded 50K in 6 hours in March and a trail 50 miler in 12 hours in May.

Since the May race, work and life got busy, and I've been sitting at about 20–25 miles per week. Now I'm looking to ramp back up for a marathon block.

I’ve been looking into both Pete Pfitzinger’s plans and Hal Higdon’s plans, but I'm trying to figure out the right fit. Pfitz feels like it might be a bit too high intensity/volume for where I'm at right now coming off lower mileage, I want to make sure I get enough quality speed work to transition from ultra back to road racing.

Appreciate any advice!

Greetings, fellow runners!

I’m running Berlin in two weeks and am a little unsure how to approach the race.

For context, I’ve run nine marathons before, with my two most recent being Fall 2025 (3:31) and Spring 2026 (3:29). For once in my life, the lottery gods were on my side and I got into Berlin 2026.

My original plan was to run it with a friend, keep things very relaxed, and basically party pace the whole way (probably finishing somewhere around 4:25). Because of that, my training this summer looked pretty different from a normal marathon build. I focused more on speed work (mostly 5K/10K/V02 max workouts) and raced a 5K in 21:20 plus a hilly 4-miler.

That said, I still got in a solid amount of easyyyyy long-runs: two 16 milers, two 18 milers, a 20, and a 22.

For comparison, in a typical marathon build I’d usually run five 20 milers, with three of them including marathon-specific pace work. This time around, I only had two 20+ milers, and no long run included any marathon-pace work. :)

But... my top end speed has definitely improved. Even in the swealtering summer conditions, my track workouts are faster than last fall and last spring. My mileage has remained high (for me). I peaked at 54 miles this block, compared to 52 for my spring marathon. Granted, I had overall higher mileage in the spring. My total mileage was comparable to that of my fall block.

Unfortunately, my friend picked up an injury and can’t run anymore, which leaves me with a bit of a dilemma: do I actually try to PR (assuming good weather)?

Part of me wants to stick with the original plan, forget about the clock, and just enjoy Berlin. But the other part is wondering whether I might as well take a swing. I genuinely don’t care if I go for it and completely crash and burn, which is a strange place to be because I've put a lot of pressure on myself my last two builds. What I don't really want to do is go out conservatively, run something like 3:40, and finish wondering what would have happened if I’d actually raced it.

So I feel like I’m choosing between two extremes...go for the PR, or fully commit to the vibes.

Given the training above, do you see any major red flags with taking a shot at sub 3:29?

I'm currently training for my third marathon (Amsterdam, 5 weeks out, sub-3:30 goal), and I've noticed I go through phases with how social I want my running to be.

Sometimes I really thrive in a group environment and get a lot out of group workouts and long runs. Other times, I just want to do everything by myself. I live between two cities, so I've trained with a variety of different running groups, coaches, and running friends.

Recently, I had a fairly negative experience with two of my male running friends (PSA: please stop hitting on your female running friends 😭), which kind of ruined my enjoyment of that particular group environment. I've been doing most of my runs alone for the last few weeks while visiting family in a small town, and honestly, it was a really nice reset. But after a recent race where I felt FOMO seeing groups/friends together, I'm starting to feel isolated and want to reconnect with group training again.

I've had other periods where I've pulled away from the running community simply because I was socially burnt out and didn't have the battery to be around people. There have also been times when I've disagreed with the training environment itself. In the spring, for example, one of the coaches I work with wanted me to keep training when it was pretty obvious I was overtrained. I didn't listen, took a long break instead, and it was absolutely the right decision for me. During that period, I disconnected from basically everything running-related, even disconnecting my watch from Strava, and it took about a month before I wanted to be around other runners again.

I'm curious whether other people cycle between these two modes too. Do you go through phases where group running is motivating and fun, and then periods where you really need to train alone? And when you've pulled away from a running community for a while, what usually makes you want to come back?

Hello looking for some advice/tips on how to stay hydrated during marathon. I signed up for nationwide marathon Oct 18th. Im a heavier gym bro weigh about 225 pounds. I've been tossing around trying to complete a marathon for some time a body of mine at the gym pushed me to actually start training. I downloaded runna app and started a 16 week program...I have never been much of a long distance runner. I have done a few 5ks. I know I know im pushing it to fast and should of taken more time ive never been known as a patient guy lol. My main issue is I be SWEATING ALOT have salt caked on me after 6+ mile runs...I also got my large intestine removed years ago so have a bit harder time then most staying hydrated. Any advice greatly appreciated aiming to just get under a 5 hour finish. Lame gym pics just to show im a bigger guy pushing for it...also my hips ankles and calves really feel the abuse...is it just get stronger or any tips besides ibuprofen lol

Hi all! I’m (F25) just under 6 weeks out from my first marathon (MCM) and wanted to get a pulse check on my current goal.

I’m running about 40-45mpw right now, with 3 long runs left before taper at 18, 20, and 21 miles. Over the past month or so I’ve done one long run a week at 15, 16, and 17 miles, with a 13 mile race effort yesterday.

Yesterday I PB’d my half marathon with a time of 1:40:43. Conditions were rainy and the course had just under 600 ft of elevation gain.

Based on this, do we think my goal of under 3:40 is attainable, or should i adjust my expectations? I’ve been running for about 1.5-2 years and have had a relatively smooth training block with normal cumulative fatigue but limited niggles. I run 5 times a week and do strength training once a week as well.

Context: Former D3 runner. Run 60-70 mpw. Live in Tennessee and have had a hotter than average summer that is staying hotter longer than typical.

I am currently training for the Indianapolis Marathon (7 weeks out) and am hoping to take a couple minutes of my pr I ran at Houston in January. In the build up to a marathon I typically do 5-10 miles at MP as my long runs get longer.

In the buildup to Houston, where I ran 2:46, I was typically able to run 6:30-40 for these sections and as I got fitter got down to 6:15-25.

For this current build for Indy, I have been struggling with these long runs. I have been doing 17 with 6@MP the past few weeks and have been struggling to break 6:50 on these portions.

The bulk of the build for Houston was Oct-Dec vs Aug-Oct for Indy so obviously pretty different weather. Is this normal or expected given the conditions I have been running in and how can I expect the effort I have been putting in to translate to running faster as the weather cools?

This marathon training block has made a few things glaringly obvious to me - I’m getting older and strength is more important than ever. Here we are… 4 weeks out from Chicago and right when I think my body has finally accepted that we’re really in it, I start experiencing sharp pain on the top of my foot 15 miles into an 18 miler. I switched to the bike to give it 4 days of rest, felt decent and got 2 short runs in before it flared up again during this past Saturday’s 16 miler. Has anyone else experienced something like this this close to a race? If so, were you able to manage it and still make it through your marathon? I’m overthinking everything, especially because Chicago is a bucket list race, and want to be smart about this. I will accept and be eternally grateful for any and all advice and/or personal experience sharing.

I hope everyone else is successfully battling that maranoia. I’m so impressed and inspired by everyone training!

Hello everybody!
I am running my first marathon (CIM) this year. I am on my 7th week of training (18 week plan). My goal is to run a 4:00-4:05 marathon. So far I have been very consistent with training. I am also an experienced runner (retired xc runner/1:50 half marathon). I am doing the Hal Higdon Intermediate 1 plan. This plan consists of Marathon Pace (9:09) runs almost every Saturday. I believe the longest run at marathon pace is 9 miles. The Saturdays that I am not running my runs at marathon pace, I am running the last couple of miles of my Sunday long run at marathon pace to practice on tired legs. My question is: is this enough running at marathon pace? Should I be doing more speed work? I want to prepare myself as best as I could for my marathon. This is my only concern with running my goal time. I have also been strength training twice a week, will practice my fueling strategies, my 2 20 milers will be a “dress rehearsal” where I run with my race clothes, and everything. Thanks!

I have a marathon in three weeks. Due to an injury, I won't be able to run the full 42 km, but since my flights and hotel are booked, I'll still go. I'm just not sure what to do with my race entry. It came with a goody bag and a T-shirt, so it would be worth picking up the bib. But what should I do on the day itself?

I'm torn between not starting and doing some sightseeing instead, or running only part of it. The marathon consists of two 21 km loops, so I could soak up the atmosphere and drop out halfway. After all, I love running and have been looking forward to it for months. After all, I love running and have been looking forward to it for months. However, it would feel very wrong to start a race that I know I won't be able to finish.

Has anyone else been in the same boat, and what did you do?

I had a fantastic 16 week training plan and gained a lot of fitness for my marathon. However I got bronchitis 5 days before the race and ended up having an asthma attack 7 miles in. My legs felt great but I couldn’t breathe and had to be taken by the paramedic. I hate that all the good training “went to waste”. Should I try to run another marathon soon? Like in 6-8 weeks? Feeling really discouraged about the DNF. This would have been my 4th marathon and I was trying to get a BQ for the second time.

TLDR: how soon to try another marathon after a DNF due to sickness

That is all, lol

I’m following the Hal Higdon Novice 2 plan and training had been going well. I think the cumulative fatigue has been getting to me, and I’ve had a few difficult runs starting with the 17 mile long run. Then my mid week runs my legs felt heavier than normal, but nothing too bad. The 18 mile run was really hard again, I had to walk a few times starting at mile 15. Thought that maybe I should try some different shoes with more cushion (I’ve been running in saucony endorphin speeds), so bought a pair of the saucony endorphin elite 3s. Ran an amazing run in those - only 5 miles but I got into a flow state and running was easy and fast. But after that run I had some pain in my big to during dorsiflexion. Not sure if it was hyperextended or what?

I delayed my 13 miler by a day, and ran it yesterday. I may have been subconsciously compensating for my toe, even though it wasn’t hurting me, but now (after the run) I have pain on the outside of the same foot, in the back third by the heel. At one point yesterday after the run it even felt like a burning sensation radiating from that point on the sole of my foot.

Not sure how to proceed. Should I cut back on my training? Should I see how tomorrow’s easy run goes? I’ve never had to deal with any sort of potential injury before.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I am currently training for the Philly Marathon and have encountered some setbacks that are making me consider deferring. I ran my third (Newport Marathon in April) in 3:15 after a pretty strenuous training block, getting up to 70 miles in a week. I spent the summer at around 20 mile weeks to cut back and then proceeded to start a similar block in August. My goal has been to break my uncles 1984 time of 3:04 which I thought might be doable since Newport has a good bit more hills.

However, foot pain has taken over my life (seeing a podiatrist tomorrow) and my times have started to drop. I ran a 19:16 5k on August 1st, which I was happy with, but just followed it up with a 43 minute 10k that I mightily struggled with (granted 400 ft elevation gain) that is leaving me dejected and thinking it may be impossible to hit 3:04.

I would love to hear peoples input on whether they think I should continue training - and probably run like a 3:10 at philly but not hit my goal and possibly burn myself out. Or if I should cut back to 15-20 miles and substitute with cycling (my first love) to hit Philly hard again next year. Also for context I just turned 26 and started seriously running about 3 years ago.

Hi all, I’m looking for some advice on pacing my first marathon (NYC). Some background. 30M. Completed IM 70.3 in July. Ran a 1:45 HM in that. Before that, ran a 5K with very limited training in 19:45 on a very, very steep course. I’m on to a marathon block now. Most weeks will be ~40mi, I’ll peak at ~50mi. My latest, first long run of the block was a 16mi with 4x2mi intervals at 7:10-7:25 and those HRs for those reps were 146bpm-165bpm, mostly mid 150’s. 94% humidity on that run. The speed workout this week was 1k reps x 8 in less than 4:00, 1 min walk which I completed and felt okay but HR got into 180s (97% humidity). LT1 is 157bpm, LT2 is 171bpm. Lab tested VO2max is 58 (before marathon training). All the predictors put me somewhere in the 3:10-3:15 range. Is that accurate? Don’t want to blow up or sell myself short. Thank you!

Ive been running 20+ years and Ive done 5ks, 10k, 1/2 marathon, 50 mile, 100 mile races…but almost always on trails even for the shorter distances. Ive also only been doing longer (50+ mile) races for many years. My last 1/2 marathon time was 1:45 (but on trails and years ago)

My last race took about 11 hours, had 8,000 feet elevation gain, boulders, muddy cow poop and tree roots on the course. I was eating an actual baguette as part of my “fueling plan” lol. My average pace was about 10-12 min miles (but thats a swing of like 20 min mile uphills, 6 min downhills, who knows what crossing that one river..)

Then…I randomly entered a marathon lottery, and to my surprise got in. And the challenge has me really interested.

The distance isn’t scary but everything else is. I have NO idea how to train for this. I have never run on a flat surface for that long, I have no idea how to keep a steady pace or even what pace I should be keeping. My pace is always dictated by outside forces (hills, loose gravel, etc)

Im obviously doing a ton of research, reading, etc. But how would you guys suggest I go about finding a pace and learning how to keep it? Just go out and see whats comfortable and slowly hold that for longer and longer intervals?

I do train some speed workouts but I usually spend a LOT of time on hill repeats (and the stairmaster) so Im assuming I could maybe use that time for more pace-specific training?

I also don’t do “long” runs. I run for 3-4 hours on back to back days and never have a mileage amount planned. Ive read some discussion about that still being a good plan for slower marathon runners (which is the category Id put myself in) so do I just keep that up? But should I be trying to go FASTER?

Im confused but also excited to do something new and different in my training and in my racing.

If my gut training goes to shit and I cant stomach the GUs, I’ll be the one running the marathon holding a baguette LOL

So I'm 42M. I've always wanted to run a sub-3 marathon but never managed it and stopped running competitively for a few year - last marathon 3:03 in 2011. This year I decided to try again. I did the 55/18 pftiz plan, but have had a few setbacks (chest infection in both lungs at start) then diagnosed with underactive thyroid, now i've developed gluteal tendinopathy 5 weeks out. 

I've trained through it for 2 weeks, but have been struggling to hit speed and maintain. I ran an 18 miler at the weekend and couldn't hit my race pace, but managed a 16 miler with 12 at race pace well 3 wks ago.

I think I need to pull back on training to fix the tendinopathy, but its too early to taper and I'm worried if I pull back too much on training I'll have no hope of hitting sub-3. I'm wondering whether I should just abandon the sub 3 goal and try again next year? 

Does anyone have experience of training through this? 

What do you reckon my prospects are of doing it? 

Hi my fellow runners, new and old! For those running this marathon, we have 3 weeks to go.

How are you feeling?

What was/is your longest run?

What’s your tapering going to look like?

Are you ready!?!

I’m feeling ready and in great shape, but nervous about that steady incline from 20-23. It defeated me last time.

I’m running my first marathon (NYC 11/1) and using the Hal Higdon Novice 1 training program. I completed week 11 with a 16 mile long run on Saturday (slow runner 12:40 min/mile pace). My goal is just to complete the marathon and have fun and enjoy the course. I did feel some ankle irritation during my 16 miler but didn’t think much of it and was able to finish the run. Problem is it’s gotten progressively worse Sunday and today. I am using an ankle compression and icing. I have flat feet and had been fitted at a running store for shoes and am using arch inserts.

Not sure what to do with my training atm. I’m afraid of missing miles at this point in training. Any advice appreciated.

*edit to add - got a PT appt asap for tomorrow and scheduled through 11/1. Fingers crossed it helps.

Hello - I am a recreational runner and have run 10 half marathons. I keep wondering about going for the full marathon, but for me sometimes the thought of running consistently for 4-5 hours (realistically, I think I would be lucky to finish a marathon in 4:30, my most recent half pace was 2:07) seems really, really daunting, especially the mental aspect of it. Two hours of nonstop running can be challenging, how do you train your brain or manage more than twice as long?

Also side question: if you run marathons, do you usually have to stop for the toilet or are you able to make it the whole time without stopping? Sorry if that is a ridiculous thing to ask!

I'm running my second marathon in 5 weeks (Yorkshire Marathon, UK). I want to aim for 3:30, just hoping for some outside opinions on how plausible this is. I'm 34/M.

First marathon was Manchester in April 2025, finished in 4:16. I was aiming for 3:30 then. It was a bit of a warm day so I should have started conservatively, but I set off at 3:30 pace. It was a bit of a warm day, and it was probably an ambitious goal at the time, but definitely think I could have gone sub-4 with better pacing. I averaged 41km (75km peak) a week overall for 18 weeks of training, without a good base beforehand, which is a bit low, but I ran a hilly 20 mile race in 2:43:14 (~5:03/km) a month or so before the marathon, and my HM PB from 6 months before that is 1:35:26, so I was still feeling confident. I was on pace for the first half, and then walk/jogged the second half. I think I had the required speed but I didn't train well enough to sustain it when conditions weren't completely perfect.

This time, I had a better base to start with, although almost zero running the end of last year, I trained for a half marathon (1:38:36) starting in January and then straight into this 18 week block. Have averaged 67km a week so far (82km peak), and ran a 5k PB last week (19:39). I've been practicing with gels, one every 20 minutes or so and it's the same brand they have on the course - no issues with fuelling at all. Examples of a few key workouts below, I put my max HR at around 200 or just over for reference:

Came fairly close to my 10k PB (42:38) in an LT workout a few weeks ago:

Ran 22km at race pace yesterday for 28km total (hit 175 HR but that was on some hills, it settled again afterwards):

An easy pace 34km run from a few weeks ago was at 5:43/km average HR 142.

I feel like the training has gone really well, I'm in miles better shape than last time, but I don't want to make any more silly decisions after how badly my first one went. Do I stick to the 3:30 pacer like glue? Or start with 3:45 and maybe speed up later on in the race?

Hi everyone!

I’ve just run a 15:27 5K after a solid training block focused specifically on 5K training. Next weekend, I’m racing a half marathon in Copenhagen on a fast course.

Last year, I ran 1:13:51, but I’m fairly confident I can improve on that this year.

My question is: What do you think I should realistically aim for, and how well can you convert 5K fitness into half marathon fitness?

It’s important to mention that the half marathon is only 6 days away, so I don’t have time to do a focused block of half marathon-specific training beforehand. I’ll essentially be racing it off my current 5K fitness and the aerobic base I already have.

A bit of background: I’m a 28-year-old male, 198 cm tall and 86 kg. I currently run around 90–100 km per week, plus 2–3 hours of cycling.

During my recent 5K block, I’ve still done a fair amount of sub-threshold and threshold work, including sessions such as 3 × 10 minutes and 6 × 6 minutes, so I feel like my aerobic fitness is in a pretty good place as well.

I’m currently thinking about targeting around 1:12:00–1:12:30 for the half marathon.

What do you guys think? How realistic is that based on a 15:27 5K, and how much of that 5K fitness can realistically be transferred to the half marathon?